As Genshin Impact enters its fifth year, the community continues to discuss a growing concern: the power gap between the old characters and newer additions to the roster. This issue raises important questions about character longevity and investment value for players who've been with the game since its early days.
The Growing Power Gap
Genshin Impact old characters from version 1.0 like Diluc, Klee, and Venti have noticeably fallen behind in the meta compared to recent 5-star releases. While these characters were once considered top-tier, the evolution of game mechanics and the introduction of more complex kit designs have left many day-one characters feeling underwhelming by 2025 standards.
The disparity becomes especially apparent when comparing the original archons to their newer counterparts. Venti and Zhongli, while still useful in certain scenarios, lack the versatility and raw power that characters like Raiden Shogun, Nahida, Furina, and Mavuika bring to teams.
Sister Games Leading the Way
Interestingly, HoYoverse has taken a different approach with Genshin's sister games – Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero. Both titles have implemented direct buffs to old characters, updating their kits with adjusted multipliers, new effects, and additional utility to help them remain competitive in the evolving meta.
This stark contrast in philosophy has left many Genshin players wondering if similar changes might eventually come to Teyvat. Rather than simply releasing new support characters that can help older units perform better (the current approach), players are increasingly vocal about wanting direct kit adjustments to breathe new life into beloved characters.
Potential Solutions
There are several ways HoYoverse could address this issue without causing dramatic power creep:
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Constellation Reworks - Updating older characters' constellations to provide more substantial benefits, similar to how newer 5-stars receive game-changing boosts at C2
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Talent Multiplier Adjustments - Increasing damage scaling for outdated DPS units like Diluc and Klee
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Kit Modernization - Adding modern mechanics like energy refund, resistance shred, or improved particle generation
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Old 5stars New Weapons - Creating tailored weapons that specifically address weaknesses in older character kits
The Bennett Factor
One common argument against buffing the old characters is the existence of universal supports like Bennett, who can dramatically boost almost any character's performance. However, this creates a situation where older units become entirely dependent on these supports to remain viable, limiting team composition creativity.
As one player noted: "It's not just about making old characters stronger – it's about making them more interesting and adaptable to modern team compositions."
Will Buffs Ever Come?
While HoYoverse has been silent on plans to directly buff Genshin Impact old characters, the precedent set by their other games offers some hope. The company has shown willingness to revisit and improve character designs when necessary.
Some community members speculate that the upcoming regions beyond Natlan might introduce mechanics that naturally complement older character designs, creating a cyclical meta where the old characters find new relevance.
The Player Perspective
For veteran players who invested in characters like Venti, Diluc, or Klee early in the game's lifecycle, the issue is particularly poignant. These characters represent not just gameplay tools but emotional attachments formed during the game's formative years.
"I'd love to bring my C6 Diluc back into the Spiral Abyss without feeling like I'm handicapping myself," shared one long-time player. "The old characters deserve some love too."
As Genshin Impact continues to evolve in 2025, the question remains whether HoYoverse will address this growing concern or continue prioritizing new character releases over revitalizing beloved classics. For now, players can only wait and hope that the old characters might one day receive the attention they deserve.